Carolyn and I took some time to get some portraits of the boys. Carolyn assisted and patiently kept the boys entertained while I dialed in the lighting and background. Then the fun began. The boys had full tummies and were in great moods to receive all the attention we gave them.

We couldn't be happier with the results. Their personalities really shine through in these shots. I especially like the one of them together. This should help answer the continuous question from people, "How do you tell them apart?"

~Enjoy the shots.

If someone were to ask me the usual question, “So, what’d you do last Friday night?” My usual answer would be, “The usual. Played softball, changed some diapers, went to bed.” But if someone were to ask me what I did last Friday night my answer would have been, “I met up with about a dozen other photographers and we stopped at several locations around St. Louis photographing a couple dressed as bride and groom. We eventually made our way to the Central West End where the couple waded into the fountain and posed for us for about an hour. You know the usual stuff. Crowds gathered, cars stopped to look. Onlookers were heard to say,

Woman to her friend: “I think it’s her!”

Friend: “Are you sure?”

First Woman: “Well, who else would it be?”

Friend: “I don’t know.”

First woman: “I mean, look at all the photographers! It has to be her.”

Friend: “I think you’re right!”

I don’t know who the women thought we were photographing, but it sure as fun to see all the reactions.

Many thanks to Michelle Ross of Under Grace Photography for organizing the event and the wonderful Beth Berry and her husband Griffin for being so accommodating and patient as our models.

This is a variety of shots going back about a month and half up to a couple weeks ago. the boys are 5 1/2 months old and have been on solid food since 4 months. The first feeding is in these shots, it was a bit of a messy ordeal.

Cade is making his first motions to crawl and can move himself forward when so inclined to do so. Usually this is when he sees his brother's toes within reach and wants something to put in his mouth. Carson is growing and getting better at sitting upright. He is almost constantly smiling.

They were sleeping through the night fro several weeks, but lately Carson starts making noises at 12:30 am, and around 4 am. We don't know why, because he is seldom awake, but the noises he makes in his sleep eventually wake him up if we don't put a pacifier in his mouth.

These shots are of a great building with an incredible amount of character. It once housed a foundry, but is being rehabbed into a wood shop. The man behind it is turning the building into a place where inner city youth can learn a trade. I would love to spend more time photographing the building, but I was on a timeline when I shot these. They will have to do for now.

Somewhat of a misleading title, but oh well. As promised, more pictures!

Following the delivery of the boys, I have hardly picked up my camera. So much craziness going on, maybe some of the stories will make it to this Blog, but doubtful. They more so belong in a book for dads bringing home babies. What to expect, what to not expect, and tips on survival. All stuff I really needed to know.

Anyway, these shots are from when we brought the boys home. I had the idea of having all the family present when we arrived with the boys. This way we could have video and still shots of the arrival, but also for support and it was an opportunity for Carolyn and I to thank the most important people in our lives. The people we couldn't have survived without. Little did we know how important they would be in the first week with the boys at home.

It was an fantastic evening. We ate Pot Roast, watched the Packers game and took some time to just be together. My parents drove in from Columbia, Carolyn's parents, who had been with us at the hospital almost continually helping us sort through all the mounds of information, were there, and Carolyn's sister, Jacqueline, also spent some time hanging out.

I wouldn't trade that night of memories for anything.

For all the family reading this, thank you again. Your support, encouragement, and patience is invaluable. For those close enough to us to know what we went through this past week, you also played and enormous role in us (mostly me) keeping our sanity (this means you Jen and Darren!)

Enjoy the images, they were taken by my dad, Merle, an accomplished photographer in his own right and are SOTC (Straight out of the Camera) with no adjustments. Spot on, as usual!

~Matt

The Boys are a week old now, and I am finally getting around to sorting through all the photos from their birth. I also have some shots from their Homecoming that my dad took, they'll be posted soon.

I'm going on just a couple hours sleep and haven't been able to load any shots from my camera, but here are a few from our point and shoot. Carson has worn a few different color hats in an effort to find one that would eventually stay on his head. His hair keeps sliding the hats off. Caden, on the other hand, has some gorgeous curls that seem to keep pulling his hat lower on his head, often over his eyes. Caden's hat is the green and white knitted.

Caden also seems to enjoy pulling his chin down to his chest like he is trying to pull down into his swaddling cloth. When he does this, he looks like a little turtle trying to pull into his shell.

Carson had his eyes open and tongue out from the moment he was born. He seems to be taking in the world around him. Caden has focused his time on sleep. The birth was a bit more traumatic him and he ended up with a bit of a bruised face and especially bruised upper lip.

During labor Carolyn was pushing and Carson was slowly working his way out, then the doctor said something funny and Carolyn started to laugh, next thing we knew, Carson was out. The laughing shot him out faster than the pushing!

Next came Caden, he came out with one hand along side his cheek, as Carolyn pushed, another arm came out too. He might have potential as a swimmer because as he came out, he motioned his arms like he was doing the breast stroke. These two are characters right from the start.

More photos to come.